DREAM Act

Amidst failure to pass legislation on the DREAM Act, and recent repeals of DACA, the current political climate for Dreamers is tenuous and unstable. IFCLA is committed to advocating for the passage of a clean DREAM Act and immigration policy reform.

-- photo courtesy of NASW.com --

What is the DREAM Act and who is elligible?

According to the American Immigration Council (AIC), "the first version of the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act was introduced in 2001. As a result, young undocumented immigrants have since been called Dreamers." The DREAM Act would create a three-step pathway toward citizenship for current, former, and future undocumented high school graduates or GED recipients. The three steps along the pathway to citizenship are 1) Conditional Permanent Residence, 2) Lawful Permanent Residence, and 3) Naturalization. To be eligible for each step of the DREAM Act pathway, individuals must meet requirements regarding: age of entry into the US, DACA status, a clean criminal record, level of education, and commitment to higher education, armed services, or sustained employment.

Has the DREAM Act been passed?

Up to date, various versions of the DREAM Act have been proposed, but none has become law. The AIC notes that bipartisan support has existed for each bill, some versions garnering 48 co-sponsors in the Senate and 152 in the House. To read the most recent proposal of the Act, click here.

How is IFCLA taking action with Dreamers?

IFCLA aims to support and follow the lead of the Dreamers as they advocate for a change in our current policies and laws. In February 2018, IFCLA helped facilitate an interfaith press conference for Dreamers to engage clergy and the wider community in DACA/Dream Act advocacy. In March 2018, IFCLA participated in a public march on Delmar in support of the DREAM Act during a day of statewide demonstrations. IFCLA continues to work alongside the MO Dreamers in both public and personal development of their vision as a young organization; in early June, IFCLA's Executive Director, Sara John, traveled with one of the MO Dreamers to the conference of the Detention Watch Network, where both women were able to gain resources, connections, and ideas for continued immigrant justice work.

Marchers advocate for a Clean DREAM Act on Delmar in March 2018.

On June 15, 2012, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it would not deport certain undocumented youth who came to the United States as children. Under a directive from the DHS secretary, these youth may be granted a type of temporary permission to stay in the U.S. called “deferred action.” The Obama administration called this program Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA.